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The San Jose Sharks signed center Scott Gomez to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Gomez had been bought out by the Montreal Canadiens last week as one of their two compliance buyouts allowed under the collective bargaining agreement to get under next year's lower $64.3 million cap. The Canadiens originally planned to have him sit out all year and buy him out during the summer, but under a compromise between the league and players' association, the buyout period was moved up.

His Sharks contract is worth a reported $700,000 (pro-rated). He had received a pro-rated $5.5 million from the Canadiens this season as part of the buyout.

By joining the Sharks, Gomez reunites with Larry Robinson, the former New Jersey Devils coach who's an assistant in San Jose. They won a Stanley Cup together in 2000, when Gomez won rookie of the year.

More recently, Gomez has struggled. He was dropped to the fourth line in Montreal during an injury-filled 2011-12 season and had two goals in 38 games.

The Sharks also signed forward Tim Kennedy to a one-year deal. He was leading their American Hockey League affiliate this season with 30 points in 31 games. He has two points in 27 games with the Florida Panthers last season and 29 points in 112 NHL games.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues said they have activated defenseman Wade Redden. He was bought out last week by the New York Rangers and signed a $800,000 contract with the Blues.